Rat-infested Rotherham pizza shop fined £1k

Presto Pizza closed last October after Rotherham Council’s environmental health officers found evidence of rodents inside the venue on Masbrough Street.

Council officers presented their findings Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, where a district judge agreed with their actions to close the shop immediately due to “unacceptable hygiene standards”. 

A pest controller provided structural pest proofing and treatment works at Presto Pizza following the closure. 

The takeaway was allowed to reopen on October 12, 2021, after a follow-up visit by council environmental health officers found the rat infestation had been cleared and “extensive deep cleaning and sanitisation had taken place”.

Appearing at Sheffield Magistrates Court earlier this month, managing director Rezaul Haque pleaded guilty to three food hygiene offences and was fined £840 and ordered to pay £400 costs. Magistrates also ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £85 — making a total of £1,325. 

Cllr Dominic Beck, cabinet member for environment, said: “Food business operators have a legal duty to comply with the required hygiene standards and we do not tolerate those who flout the law. 

“Where public health is at risk council environmental health officers will always take the necessary enforcement action to protect people.”

Sam Barstow, acting assistant director of community safety and streetscene, said: “Sadly, there are still business owners who do not keep to the standards needed to make sure the food they sell is safe to eat. 

“My colleagues work tirelessly to keep us all safe from potential harm and bring these cases to court.”